In the glass
Aroma: raspberry, redcurrant, wild strawberry, white flowers
Palate: strawberry, red apple, creamy mousse, delicate citrus
100 percent Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs Cava with raspberry, redcurrant and wild-strawberry aromatics over a creamy, delicate body and long finish; relaunched in 2010 as the first Cava made entirely from Pinot Noir.
What it pairs with
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Pa amb tomaquet with anchovy
Find pa amb tomaquet with anchovy on TableJourney →
The wine's Pinot Noir red-fruit lift mirrors the salt-cured anchovy's umami while the creamy mousse softens the tomato acidity on toast. -
Grilled prawns
Find grilled prawns on TableJourney →
Pinot Noir delicacy from a sparkling wine adds aromatic complexity to charcoal-grilled shellfish without overpowering the seafood. -
Roast duck breast
The strawberry and red-apple register of Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs pairs naturally with poultry; bright acidity cuts the duck fat. -
Almond and orange tart
Mediterranean almond cake echoes the wine's faint nuttiness and the orange-zest finish; acidity balances the sweet pastry.
History
Named for Queen Maria Cristina of Habsburg-Lorraine (regent of Spain 1885-1902), who visited Codorniu in 1898 during the construction of the Cathedral of Cava complex. Relaunched in 2010 as the first Cava produced exclusively from Pinot Noir, a Blanc de Noirs that anticipated Spanish sparkling wine's varietal-transparency turn.
- 1898 — Queen Maria Cristina visits the Codorniu cellars during construction of the modernist Cathedral of Cava
- 2010 — Reina Maria Cristina relaunched as a 100 percent Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs
Facts
- Producer
- Codorniu
- Grapes
- Pinot Noir (100%)
- Classification
- DO Cava Reserva
- Oak
- Stainless steel; 18 to 24 months on lees in bottle
- ABV
- 12.0%
- Price
- EUR 15 to 22 at retail
- Drinking window
- 0-5 from disgorgement
- First vintage
- 2010
- Vegan
- Yes (no animal-derived fining)
Frequently asked about Reina Maria Cristina Blanc de Noirs
What does Reina Maria Cristina taste like?
Raspberry, redcurrant, wild strawberry and white flowers on the nose; strawberry, red apple, creamy mousse and delicate citrus on the palate. Medium-bodied with high acidity and a long, delicate finish.
When should I drink Reina Maria Cristina?
Drink within 0 to 5 years of disgorgement. The Pinot Noir base gives it slightly more cellar tolerance than typical Cava but the wine is at its expressive best within three years.
What grapes are in Reina Maria Cristina?
100 percent Pinot Noir, vinified as a Blanc de Noirs. The 2010 relaunch made it the first Cava produced exclusively from the red Pinot Noir grape.
What food pairs with Reina Maria Cristina?
Pa amb tomaquet with anchovy and grilled prawns are textbook Catalan matches. Roast duck and almond-orange desserts also work because Pinot Noir Blanc de Noirs bridges seafood and poultry.